Chinese Military Modernization and Force Development: A Western Perspective
From: Yona Maro
China’s military modernization, and its impact on the military balance has become a critical issue in assessing both Asian security and the nature of US and Chinese strategic completion. The Burke Chair has developed a comprehensive update of its previous analysis of Chinese military strategy and developments. This report is entitled Chinese Military Modernization and Force Development:
http://csis.org/files/publication/120727_Chinese_Military_Modernization_Force_Dvlpment.pdf
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Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com
Kenya: ‘Bring me down and kill the reform dream’
from: Judy Miriga
Folks,
Miguna Miguna wrote a memoir; on account of personal experiences as an author, and in the same book of “Peeling the mask” he outlined a biography of what he believes in and a quest for justice in political landscape he found himself engaged in. As a report, he offered a scientific intelligence insight of scholarly view points in segmented topics to share with the society and the world. In short, Miguna Miguna has put his share of history in the perspective.
It is now open like any other book out there for discussion, criticism, debate, to be read as novel or used as reference or show-case for any other usage by anyone as may be found necessary by whoever feels deem fit for any purpose they wish.
Consequently, every other person wishing to do the same, is welcome and free to write their story and publish. However, whether Miguna has a High Intelligent Quotient, brilliant, has a gab for English literature or otherwise; and although what has been written may not all be the Gospel truth, we may disapprove or approve in part or whole, the fact remain that he achieved the purpose for writing the book. Reality and Truth will soon come to light. Where there is smoke, there is fire..........!!!
Cheers everybody......!!!
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - - -
Miguna's Tell-All Book
Published on Jul 16, 2012 by K24TV
Analysts: Raila's credibility seriously wounded
Prime Minister Raila Odinga will not be sitting pretty in the coming months.After his former trusted aide and adviser Miguna Miguna cast him as corrupt in his book, peeling back the mask.Damning revelations that will not doubt erode the confidence Odinga once enjoyed among Kenyans as a reformer.
IEBC: Elections to Be Held On Time
Published on Jul 23, 2012 by kenyacitizentv
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) has moved to allay fears of a delayed general election, as a result of the incomplete process of awarding a tender to the company that will provide the software to be used to register voters electronically. IEBC chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan said the voter registration exercise will kick off next month as scheduled. Hassan however says the IEBC has an alternative plan should the tendering process of the biometric voter registration kits be derailed.
Raila’s team in secret talks over Miguna row
Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Photo/FILE
By ISAAC ONGIRI iongiri@ke.natiomedia.com
Posted Sunday, July 29 2012 at 23:30
In Summary
Group in two-day retreat to craft new political strategy ahead of elections
Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his campaign think-tank on Sunday went into a retreat to craft a new strategy to deal with the effects of politically damaging revelations contained in a book written by a former aide.
Mr Odinga is hosting the strategy meeting at an undisclosed venue within the city. He is expected to launch his political programme later.
The PM, who returned home from an official visit to China early last week, is expected to hold sessions with selected Cabinet ministers, MPs and members of his campaign secretariat.
A source in Mr Odinga’s camp revealed that participants in the retreat include political advisers and technocrats led by head of his campaign James Ongwae, Mr Oduor Ong’wen and a few university dons contracted to beef up the PM’s campaign advisory team.
Cabinet minister James Orengo and Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba have also
been invited to the strategy meeting.
“It is an in-house meeting to compare notes and discuss how to move forward,” Mr Namwamba said.
On Monday, the team will expand to include more MPs, the secretariat and selected officials from his campaign lobby group, Friends of Raila (Fora).
“We are going to be locked away in a strategic phase for two days,” confirmed Mr Barack Muluka who is the Director of Communications at the PM’s campaign secretariat.
The PM’s campaign will resume on Thursday to implement the strategy agreed on during the retreat, he said.
“We are organising a massive campaign never seen in this country before,” revealed Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo.
‘Bring me down and kill the reform dream’
Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Photo/FILE
By EMEKA-MAYAKA GEKARA gmayaka@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, July 28 2012 at 23:30
In Summary
“Miguna’s book is sponsored by anti-reform forces, the NSIS and my opponents. It is just a campaign tool. That is why I have decided to give it the contempt card”
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has accused the national spy agency and his political rivals of using his former legal adviser in a bid to block him from ascending to the presidency.
Mr Odinga said the National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS) and his political competitors had encouraged and funded Mr Miguna Miguna to write a book aimed at damaging his character with the sole aim of stopping his campaign for State House.
In a candid interview with the Sunday Nation at his Karen home on Saturday, the first personal reaction to Mr Miguna’s book, Peeling Back the Mask, Mr Odinga described the allegations in the book as “cooked up”, saying the primary objective was to assassinate his character.
Mr Odinga, who spoke on a wide range of issues including the next election, the controversial award of a tender by the electoral commission, security and a court ruling unbanning the Mombasa Republican Council, said the corruption claims made by Mr Miguna in his book were unlikely to injure his presidential dream.
He said the book contained “no material evidence” linking him to any malfeasance except slander whose “shelf live is too short”.
“The book is sponsored by anti-reform forces, the NSIS and my opponents. It is just a campaign tool. That is why I have decided to give it the contempt card,” he said.
“It is the work of anti-reform forces. I have been associated with reforms and they know that if you target Raila, then you will kill the reform dream.”
Mr Odinga summed up his opponents’ strategy thus: “Hit at my character, pull me down and kill the reform dream.”
According to the Premier, who has been challenged by a number of leaders to comment on the graft allegations in the book, the real fear is full implementation of the new Constitution which contains radical reforms targeted to address devolution, equity and other grievances.
“They say if you want to kill a dog, give it a bad name. Even the Mau Mau freedom fighters were demonised by the British.”
The Miguna book accuses the PM of corruption and nepotism, among other things.
It paints the PM’s office as dysfunctional, a den of corruption and a place where underhand deals are rampant and generally condoned. Mr Odinga is also projected as an iron-fisted man who favours his relatives for State jobs.
The Premier narrated how after Mr Miguna’s sacking, media investor Patrick Quarcoo pleaded with him to reinstate his former adviser on “humanitarian grounds”.
“Quarcoo said that he (Mr Miguna) was in bad shape. That he needed to pay school fees. We agreed that he returns to work but he refused and started talking about writing a book. That’s when the forces exploited him.”
Mr Odinga said that by that time, Mr Miguna was surviving on income from writing a weekly column in The Star newspaper, but Mr Quarcoo told him the money had become too little.
“It is telling that a man who came crying that he could not pay his children’s school fees now can afford a holiday in Canada,” the PM said.
He said the book had presented an opportunity for some of his opponents to cleanse themselves. “You will notice that the language has changed about some of my opponents. Those who Miguna previously called demons are presented as angels in the book.”
He said the forces behind the book were “the same people saying ‘let us not look at the rear mirror’ ”.
“Because the rear mirror shows the dark era of political assassination, repression, ethnic discrimination, Golderberg, Nyayo House torture chambers, suppression of media and the assassinations of JM Kariuki and Pio Gama Pinto and Raila in Kamiti.”
The rear mirror reminds us of the mistakes of the past, he said.
Mr Odinga claimed that anti-reform forces were determined to paint him as an opportunist, an anarchist, corrupt, tribalist and anti-reform.
He accused Mr Miguna of waging a smear campaign and defended his Permanent Secretary, Mr Mohammed Isahakia, and Chief of Staff Caroli Omondi over allegations of involvement in the maize scandal, saying they had been cleared by investigations.
Commenting on other current issues, Mr Odinga asked the electoral commission to ensure transparency in the award of the biometric voter registration tender, saying continued wrangles risk tainting the team’s credibility and delaying polls.
“If voter registration is delayed, some people will be disenfranchised. The commission must solve this matter speedily and transparently considering the cost to the taxpayer.”
He laughed off claims that he was one of the leaders behind a plot to push elections to August next year. He blamed the plot on individuals who are ill-prepared for the polls. “They want to buy more time because their calculations are not adding up. I am ready for the elections.”
He stressed that he still prefers that the election be held in December.
“The March date does not make sense to me. It is a new math by the High Court but historically we have held our elections in December except in 1983,” he said in reference to the High Court decision placing the polls in March 2013.
The ODM leader dismissed as “propaganda” reports that he was reaching out to Eldoret North MP William Ruto who has decamped from the Orange party. “I have never contacted him over possible cooperation. He has launched his political party. We wish him well.”
Mr Odinga expressed confidence that he will put up a strong fight for the presidency, saying the departure of his former allies had not weakened him.
He defended himself against criticism that he had pushed Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Mr Ruto and former Tourism minister Najib Balala out of the Orange movement.
“People forget that the three were initially not with me. They were forced to join me after I defeated them in the September 2007 presidential primaries,” he said.
Mr Odinga said that Mr Mudavadi and Mr Ruto — both his former deputies in the party — decamped because they could not beat him in the primaries.
“Each of them has a burning ambition. Mr Mudavadi looked for an excuse to leave. I am not the problem. None of them is willing to face competition. Otherwise why are they not in the same party?”
The premier said that he had acquired new friends as he prepares his presidential campaign launch. He cited members of the ODM-Reloaded team who he described as energetic and youthful.
“A political party must be dynamic. You cannot depend on the same set of people all the time.”
Mr Odinga further said that he had settled on a different set of names for the Police Service Commission and forwarded them to President Kibaki for discussions.
“We want a competent commission that will oversee recruitment and promotions in the police service.”
The PM backed the High Court ruling lifting the ban on the Mombasa Republican Council.
However, he cautioned that the ruling should not be misunderstood as an approval of secession.
The government outlawed the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) in 2010, describing it as a “criminal group”.
He said the court’s decision should open doors for dialogue and formal engagement with the government.
“They should renounce their demands for secession and dialogue with government. The court said that the MRC should apply for formal recognition and pursue their interests within the law,” he said.
The PM’s declaration was in conflict with a move by the office of the Attorney-General which has said it will appeal the High Court’s ruling that the ban was unconstitutional.
The major concern is that it could embolden the MRC’s push for secession.
The MRC accuses the government of marginalising the indigenous ethnic groups living in the Coast, which is also the centre of Kenya’s tourism.
Mr Odinga noted that the MRC grievances — including land distribution, unemployment, historical injustices, and authoritarianism— were not isolated.
“The same situation obtains in North Eastern Province, Turkana, Pokot, Samburu and Marakwet. There are even landless people in Central Province,” he said.
He reassured Coast residents that their grievances will be addressed by the new Constitution as well as a government development programme.
At the same time, the ODM leader gave strong indications about the imminent return to Cabinet of Tinderet MP and party chairman Henry Kosgey, who had been suspended from his Industrialisation docket over certain charges.
“He has been cleared by both the High Court and the International Criminal Court. He will go back (to Cabinet) any time.
“Because the rear mirror shows the dark era of political assassination, repression, ethnic discrimination, Golderberg, Nyayo House torture chambers, suppression of media and the assassinations of JM Kariuki and Pio Gama Pinto and Raila in Kamiti.”
The rear mirror reminds us of the mistakes of the past, he said.
Mr Odinga claimed that anti-reform forces were determined to paint him as an opportunist, an anarchist, corrupt, tribalist and anti-reform.
He accused Mr Miguna of waging a smear campaign and defended his Permanent Secretary, Mr Mohammed Isahakia, and Chief of Staff Caroli Omondi over allegations of involvement in the maize scandal, saying they had been cleared by investigations.
Commenting on other current issues, Mr Odinga asked the electoral commission to ensure transparency in the award of the biometric voter registration tender, saying continued wrangles risk tainting the team’s credibility and delaying polls.
“If voter registration is delayed, some people will be disenfranchised. The commission must solve this matter speedily and transparently considering the cost to the taxpayer.”
He laughed off claims that he was one of the leaders behind a plot to push elections to August next year. He blamed the plot on individuals who are ill-prepared for the polls. “They want to buy more time because their calculations are not adding up. I am ready for the elections.”
He stressed that he still prefers that the election be held in December.
“The March date does not make sense to me. It is a new math by the High Court but historically we have held our elections in December except in 1983,” he said in reference to the High Court decision placing the polls in March 2013.
The ODM leader dismissed as “propaganda” reports that he was reaching out to Eldoret North MP William Ruto who has decamped from the Orange party. “I have never contacted him over possible cooperation. He has launched his political party. We wish him well.”
Mr Odinga expressed confidence that he will put up a strong fight for the presidency, saying the departure of his former allies had not weakened him.
He defended himself against criticism that he had pushed Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Mr Ruto and former Tourism minister Najib Balala out of the Orange movement.
“People forget that the three were initially not with me. They were forced to join me after I defeated them in the September 2007 presidential primaries,” he said.
Mr Odinga said that Mr Mudavadi and Mr Ruto — both his former deputies in the party — decamped because they could not beat him in the primaries.
“Each of them has a burning ambition. Mr Mudavadi looked for an excuse to leave. I am not the problem. None of them is willing to face competition. Otherwise why are they not in the same party?”
The premier said that he had acquired new friends as he prepares his presidential campaign launch. He cited members of the ODM-Reloaded team who he described as energetic and youthful.
“A political party must be dynamic. You cannot depend on the same set of people all the time.”
Mr Odinga further said that he had settled on a different set of names for the Police Service Commission and forwarded them to President Kibaki for discussions.
“We want a competent commission that will oversee recruitment and promotions in the police service.”
The PM backed the High Court ruling lifting the ban on the Mombasa Republican Council.
However, he cautioned that the ruling should not be misunderstood as an approval of secession.
The government outlawed the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) in 2010, describing it as a “criminal group”.
He said the court’s decision should open doors for dialogue and formal engagement with the government.
“They should renounce their demands for secession and dialogue with government. The court said that the MRC should apply for formal recognition and pursue their interests within the law,” he said.
The PM’s declaration was in conflict with a move by the office of the Attorney-General which has said it will appeal the High Court’s ruling that the ban was unconstitutional.
The major concern is that it could embolden the MRC’s push for secession.
The MRC accuses the government of marginalising the indigenous ethnic groups living in the Coast, which is also the centre of Kenya’s tourism.
Mr Odinga noted that the MRC grievances — including land distribution, unemployment, historical injustices, and authoritarianism— were not isolated.
“The same situation obtains in North Eastern Province, Turkana, Pokot, Samburu and Marakwet. There are even landless people in Central Province,” he said.
He reassured Coast residents that their grievances will be addressed by the new Constitution as well as a government development programme.
At the same time, the ODM leader gave strong indications about the imminent return to Cabinet of Tinderet MP and party chairman Henry Kosgey, who had been suspended from his Industrialisation docket over certain charges.
“He has been cleared by both the High Court and the International Criminal Court. He will go back (to Cabinet) any time.
Kenya: William Ruto’s agents nearly scuttle ODM Orange Women Democrats meeting at the Bomas of Kenya and managed to recruit their moles from Raila backyard of Luo Nanza
Writes Arrum-Tidi Ogonglo in Kisumu
The Eldoret North MP William Ruto is reported to have made an inroad into rank and file of the ODM Women Orange Democrat organization’s national office and may be now operating deeply behind his arch-political rival Raila Odinga’s rear-guards.
News about Ruto’s breakthrough Raila Odinga behind the line came following he recent fiasco during the ODM Women Democrats elections of the organization’s national office bearers.
The election meeting was held on July 17 at the Boma of Kenya. Raila and his wife Ida Odinga are reported to have attended the meeting briefly.
Apparently unaware of what had transpired due to intensive behind the scene maneuverings the previous evening when most delegates from up-country converged in Nairobi.
Prior to their trip to Nairobi, delegates from within the Kisumu County had held a meeting in Kisumu City and agreed on the line up. The delegates were supposed to have traveled together and had resolved to give their baking and support to only the women who are loyal to the Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Strange thing, however, happened. Upon reaching Nairobi, the Kisumu delegates lost contact with their colleagues, who had travelled much earlier and had already been booed into a posh hotel by a woman who is suspected to have been acting at the behest of William Ruto and other anti-Raila forces.
It was at this time hen Kisumu delegates came to realize the intrigues surrounding heir much highlighted meeting. The chairman of the Kisumu Women Orange Democrat organization, Mrs Rosa Buyu was nowhere to be seen. The phone lines were all switched off. Communication between her and Kisumu delegates were severed.
On arrival In Nairobi, However the Kisumu County delegates were shocked to find there was another line up of proposals involving Assistant Housing Minister Bishop Margaret Wanjiru. Two ODM nominated MPs Rachel Shebesh and Millie Odhiambo had their own line up, which was immediately allegedly joined by Buyu who for some unknown reasons had abandoned the Kisumu delegation and even disowned Mrs Nancy Matara who had been tipped earlier by the Kisumu delegates to contest the position of the national organizing secretary. She was abandoned.
The young woman, however, stuck to the Ida Odinga’s line up and squeezed a slim victory to become he Deputy National Organizing Secretary, despite having been abandoned and disowned by her own delegates
Her branch secretary Mrs Grace Akumu lost contact, and the situation was only saved following he intervention of Mr Ida Odinga, her sister –in-law Ruth Adhiambo Odinga and Grace Akumu who quickly worked out for a alternative new-lineup that show Mrs Elizabeth Syeng’o from Kitui North victory over Mrs Farida Ahmed from the coast.
There were 20 slots and countrywide and Kisumu County ODM Orange Democrats got one position to the chagrins of the ODM Women parliamentary caucus.
What has emerged since is that there infighting between Mrs Ida Odinga and the ODM women parliamentary caucus. After the parliamentary caucus had lost their line-up, one of the Rachel Shebesh confronted the ODM election board chairman with unsubstantiated accusation that the elections had been rigged, though it was conducted transparently according to the made which had been agreed upon by the delegate themselves.
From all the intrigues, pundits were quick into pointing out that some members of the party’ women parliamentary caucus are covertly fighting Raila, though some of them are the same members of the much touted ODM Reloaded team. He group had a hidden agenda to scuttle the ODM Women Democrats national office elections. The ODM Youth Orange Democrats had their election the previous day at the same venue, which went on smoothly.
Last weekend the Kisumu County branch ODM Women Orange Democrats had called a meeting at the party offices along the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway, The purpose of the meeting was nowhere. She did not show up nor did she send in an apology.
The women who attended the meeting appeared to have been brain-washed while they were in Nairobi where other reports says plenty of money had changed hands. What followed the weekend meeting in Kisumu was full of the acrimonies, followed by accusation and counter accusations.
All clearly pointing to the direction of unconfirmed rumor making the round that some members of the ODM parliamentary caucus were not happy with the active role being played by Mrs Ida Odinga in mounting the most aggressive the campaign for her husband to realize his presidential ambition
Unconfirmed report says the money which almost scuttled the organization meeting at the Bomas of Kenya came from either a source connected to Wiliam Ruto or senior, but un-named, members of the G7.
The same money has sine derailed the unity of the Kisumu County Women Orange Democrats.
Ends
USA & UK: Secret Olympic TV plan
From: Justin Ruben, MoveOn.org Political Action
Dear MoveOn member,
When the Olympics open on Friday, the Romneys' dancing horse, Rafalca, will be there to compete. The horse lives quite a cushy life on a 5,000-acre estate, with a chartered jet,1 and better healthcare than the average American family—including chiropractors and massages.2
The irony jumps out at you: Romney pampers that precious horse, but he can't wait to repeal affordable healthcare for 30 million Americans.
So our creative team made a hilarious TV ad about Rafalca—the kind that gets huge amounts of additional media coverage because reporters keep talking about it. If we raise $250,000, we can try to run that ad during the Olympics, just when Rafalca is competing! But we have to make our move by tomorrow if we want to get these key ad spots.
We've got to go big now, because Romney is actually ahead in the latest Gallup and CBS News polls.3 Most people haven't been paying much attention to the campaign. They will pay attention to the Olympics, though, so this is a perfect opportunity to define Romney as the candidate of the wealthiest 1%. Can you help us run this awesome ad during key moments of the Olympics, before we miss our chance?
Yes, I can chip in $5.
For months, news about the presidential campaign has dominated the headlines, especially recent stories about Romney's mysterious offshore investments and his stubborn refusal to release basic tax information.
But even after all of that reporting, Romney is still gaining in the polls, and the latest USA Today poll reveals some disturbing misconceptions about him. Nearly two-thirds said that his business background would help him make good decisions on the economy.4
In fact, Romney's Bain Capital was a pioneer in replacing American workers with low-wage labor in foreign countries.5 And Romney's deals often made him profits even as factories were closed and workers were fired.6 That's why our new TV ad hits Romney hard on his outsourcing history.
We've got to get out the truth: Romney would be a disaster for the middle class. And time is running out to do that. Our Olympic TV ad is an incredible opportunity to reach a huge audience with that powerful message. Can you help?
Click here to contribute $5.
Let's send a message to Mitt: Quit horsing around with America's future.
Thanks for all you do.
–Justin, Lenore, Mark, Carrie, and the rest of the team
P.S. Of course, as very patriotic sports fans, we'll be proudly cheering on all of America's Olympic representatives, including the dressage horses and their riders—you can join in with us using #London2012 on Twitter. Go USA! And giddyup, Rafalca!
P.P.S. MoveOn gives average citizens the ability to influence the political system in a meaningful way. This is a great example. Your donation can actually help change the campaign conversation and set the agenda. Donate now.
Sources:
1. "Ann Romney's Horse Aims for Olympic Glory," Businessweek, July 12, 2012.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=277958&id=47241-21095459-BRqE_Vx&t=5
2. "Raising Romney's Horse vs. An American Family: Which Costs More?" Current, June 20, 2012.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=277959&id=47241-21095459-BRqE_Vx&t=6
3. "General Election: Romney vs. Obama," Real Clear Politics, July 26, 2012.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=277999&id=47241-21095459-BRqE_Vx&t=7
4. "Poll: Romney Preferred Over Obama to Handle the Economy," USA Today, July 23, 2012.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=277950&id=47241-21095459-BRqE_Vx&t=8
5. "Romney's Bain Capital Invested in Companies That Moved Jobs Overseas," Washington Post, June 21, 2012.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=277659&id=47241-21095459-BRqE_Vx&t=9
6. "After a Romney Deal, Profits and Then Layoffs," New York Times, November 12, 2011.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=277969&id=47241-21095459-BRqE_Vx&t=10
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way.
Mitt Romney's dancing horse is competing in the Olympics. (Really!) We've made a hilarious TV ad about the huge irony that Mitt gives the horse incredible care, but wants to cut healthcare for average Americans. Let's run this ad during the Olympics! We need to act quickly to get our key ad spots. Can you chip in?
https://pol.moveon.org/donate/romney_ads.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=47241-21095459-BRqE_Vx&t=1
MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent on July 26, 2012.
KENYA: RESIDENTS OF NDHIWA CALLS FOR PEACEFUL CAMPAIGN DURING THE BY-ELECTION AND STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE USE OF HIRED POLITICAL GOONS AND CRIMINAL THUGS.
Writes Arrum-Tidi Ogonglo In Kisumu City.
NDHIWA residents have vowed to voluntary stamp out the use of political goons for the purpose of intimidating the electorate in the area during the impending by-election to fill the vacant parliamentary seat following the untimely of the former MP for the area Joshua Orwa Ojode.
The Interim Electoral and Boundary Commission {IEBC}. The by-election is slated or September 13, 2012.
A number of political luminaries in Ndhiwa, however, have come out gun blushing and strongly condemned the use of political goon and criminal hugs in the areas.
The wholesale condemnation followed the last Monday fierce battle in Ndhiwa Town which resulted in cores of people sustaining bodily injuries
Aye-witnesses reported that the fight which involved close to 300 combatants was between the loyalist supporter of the late Joshua the three have been criss-crossing the full length and width of the expansive constituency in the company of mobile crowds and excessively drunken goons appearing in almost each and every funeral home.
One of the leading aspirants Ted Odero yesterday called upon the ODM head office to ensure that anyone whose name I associate with the use of political thuggery and promotion of acts
Speaking to this writer from his office based in the lakeside Tanzanian town of MwanzaTed Odero emphasized the need for the Ndhiwa people to maintain peace during the campaign for the by-election and called on all the aspirants to ensure they engage in gentlemen and peaceful campaign, which is devoid of the use of violence. “We would like to have a peaceful transition from the late Joshua Orwa Ojode to the new MP. We would like to do it the Ghanaian style where the dead head of state was replaced in a peaceful style without any political hustling,”
Ted Odero is one among those highly favored to clinch the seat is to face the stiffest opposition from two other populist aspirants, Jeremiah Owiti and Louis Onyango Otieno who is a cousin of the late Ojode. Louis Otieno who is a senior manager with the Microsoft Computer International in East, Southern and Central African regions based I the Kenyan capital, Nairobi
Louis Otieno who is currently on a short visit to the US could not be reached for his comment, But multiple sources within the late Ojode’s clan of Kabwayi has confided to us that the clan which I the third largest I the constituency would lie to back one of their own to succeed the ate Ojode, and that Louis Otieno is also the favorite of the ODM members who are scattered in the expansive. Otieno who has yet to declare his candidature in the by-election join the race then it will be the battle of Titans between him and the most eloquent and aggressive competitor in the name Ted Odero who is credited for his oratory and a smooth political operative
Unconfirmed report reaching us indicated that the widow of the late Orwa Ojode Mrs Mary Ojode is under the heavy pressure by the supporters of her late husband and also close family members of the late Joshua Orwa Ojode to join the race.
So far it is not clear as to whether the recent indications that there is likely to be some court l legal tussle between Mary Ojode and her brother-in-laws over the sub-division and succession saga in the late Ojode’s vast estate could have adverse effect in her popularity. So far her popularity I the vast constituency has yet to be properly assessed and evaluated.
Ojode’s widow, however, has kept the press guessing and has so ,however, have intimated to us that Mrs Ojode is in the process and considering the option of joining he race in the by-election in order to succeed her late husband. However, Mrs Mary Ojode has yet to make her intentions known publicly over the by-election issues and could not be reached for her immediate comment.
However the senior-most member of the Ojode family is the Hon Matthews Otieno Ogingo, former two terms MP for Ndhiwa who is currently said to be unwell and is receiving medical treatment in the United State of America. Ogingo was conspicuously absent during the high profile burial of the late Ojode at his Unga farm in Central Kanyamwa.
The tension charged funeral was attended by President Mwai Kibaki the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, the entire cabinet, Assistant Ministers Permanent Secretaries and close to 100 MPs.
The coming weeks will witnessed intensified campaign activities as he more that a dozen aspirant would be trying to out do each other. The residents are expecting it to be conducted in a peaceful manner and have appealed to the ODM as a party to ensure that it will be devoid of political thuggery.
Ends
Former Ethiopian state radio journalist released
From: Agwanda Saye
Nairobi, July 11, 2012--A veteran Ethiopian state journalist who was twice imprisoned on vague corruption and copyright charges and recently convicted on the lesser charge was released today on account of a reduced sentence, local journalists said.
A panel of judges at the Lideta Federal High Court in the capital, Addis Ababa, sentenced Abdulsemed Mohammed, a former senior producer with government-controlled broadcaster Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ERTA), to three and half years in prison but said he could go free on account of time already served. The judges also put Abdulsemed on probation for two years, the local journalists said.
. . .
http://cpj.org/2012/07/former-ethiopian-state-radio-journalist-released.php
ETHEOPIA: HARSH SENTENCE ON JOURNALIST CONDEMNED
From: Agwanda Saye.
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the harsh prison sentences issued by Ethiopia’s High Court today for blogger Eskinder Nega and five independent journalists on vague and politically motivated terrorism charges.
. . .
http://cpj.org/2012/07/eskinder-nega-sentenced-to-heavy-prison-term.php#more
Journalists attack in Somalia
From: erasto agwanda
NUSOJ Condemns attack on journalist in northern Somalia
Posted On: Jul 13, 2012 (18:22:36)
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today condemned the beating by security guards of regional governor of a TV journalist who was covering presidential campaign in Port town of Bossasso.
Ahmed Muse Ali, known Ahmed Jokar, who is reporter and representative of private Royal TV network was violently beaten on Thursday, 12 July, by security guards of Abdisamad Mohamed Gallan, governor of Puntland’s Bari region in northeastern Somalia, at International Village Hotel in Bossasso where the presidential campaign of one of the candidates standing for election of Somali President. Ali, who suffered injuries, was reportedly threatened by security guards that they would kill him if they see him at the function
. . .
http://www.nusoj.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=251066
KENYA: SCORES OF PEOPLE INJURED FOLLOWING ODM SUPPORTER’S FIERCE BATTLE IN NDHIWA TOWN
Reports Arrum Tidi Ogonglo In Homa - Bay Town
Scores of people were hurt following an outbreak of heavy fighting between the ODM supporters on Monday morning in Ndhiwa town.
Scant reports reaching here from Ndhiwa says the battle which involved close to 300 youths were between supporters of he former Ndhiwa MP Joshua Orwa Ojode, and those supporting a number of candidates who have declared their interest in vying forth the vacant seat in the forthcoming by-election slated for September 7,2012.
It all started when a group of party members and officials believed to be allied to a number o candidates aspiring to contest for the Ndhiwa seat during he forthcoming by-election scheduled for September 7. 2012.
One group moved to Ndhiwa town and attempted to open a new party office in the in the town. Loyalist Ojode’s supporters, however, saw no valid point in opening a new office town and insisted that all the factions within the branch could use the old office for party activities.
Dispute and serious argument ensued when each group stood its ground resulting in fierce battle. The combatant used crude weapons like rungus, jembe handles and stones. Business at the busy small rural trading center came to a halt as traders’ hurriedly closed their shops for fear of looting and scampered for safety. Market stall owners and petty traders also follow suit.
The locals blamed three unnamed would be aspirants who had launched premature campaigns in the area even long before the seat itself was declared vacant. Three unnamed aspirants have been making the rounds touring various centers addressing mobile crowds here and there.
Unconfirmed reports say 12 people sustained bodily injuries, which requires medication. Unconfirmed report says several combatants were taken into custody. This could not be confirmed immediately by either the police or members of the Provincial Administration in Ndhiwa district. It appears as if one group had preconceived plan to start the fight ad had brought weapons along with them from home, which hidden with the picnics of the town.
Joshua Orwa Ojode, the former Assistant Minister for Internal Securing together with his former boss Prof. George Saitoti and four others perished on June 10when the Police Helicopter they were flying crashed in Ngong Forest near Nairobi.
Ojode had represented he area for close to 17 years ever since 1994. Nudging by the number of people who have already declared their interest in the by - elections, all indications are that the field would be heavily crowded with even over 30 contestants join the race.
Ends
Africa Capacity Indicators 2012
From: Yona Maro
Africa has become a continent moving at multiple speeds! In the last two decades or so, African countries have registered average annual economic growth of between 5-8% despite low foreign investments and the global economic crisis. Such evidence of good returns even on minimal investment indicates that Africa has great promise. In 2012 Africa ishometo the seven fastest growing economies in the world. At the same time, Africa is still dependent on external aid, including food aid.In the last 50 years about one trillion US dollars in development aid has been transferred to Africa. But real per capita income today is less than it was in the 1970s and more than half the population – about500 million people – still live in poverty. At this rate, most African countries may not meet many of theMillenniumDevelopmentGoals(MDGs).
http://allafrica.com/download/resource/main/main/idatcs/00040695:c2af8c71c03a4f9ea173137e4e55f159.pdf
--
Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com
Baffling Scenarios in Kenya- The rule of law must be upheld
From: odhiambo okecth
I wrote this on the 13th June 2012.
Does it make any sense given the circumstances we have found ourselves in?
- - - - - - - - - - -
--- On Wed, 6/13/12, odhiambo okecth wrote:
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Baffling Scenarios in Kenya- The rule of law must be upheld
Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2012, 6:00 AM
Lister,
You have raised issues that I was looking at over the weekend. I wanted to post something on similar lines on Sunday, only to be confronted by the killings of our Dear Colleagues.
You have raised very pertinent issues, and I will only look at how prepared we are as a country to holding a Free and Fair Elections on March 4th 2013.
I am talking about Free and Fair, because, this is a process that starts at some points, goes through several stages that ultimately lead to an election. As it were, 8 months to the said elections, nothing is happening that is in any way suggesting that we will host elections on 4th March 2013.
First, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission presented an outrageous budget of Kshs 35 Billion to the public for parliamentary approval. This was the first sign that the team was not interested in hosting a credible electoral process. They were more interested with the money that comes with the process and not the process in itself.
Secondly, there was need for a Biometric Machine, such that, elections could be hosted more efficiently and tallied in real time. This was slowly swept under the carpet.
Thirdly, as people started speculating that there could be a re-run, one wage in position of power pointedly said that there will be no re-run. He looked like he was talking with authority, and to me, it was like either we have a per-determined outcome already, or, plans are under way to make one result supreme.
Fourthly, and this is real baffling, Hon Cyrus Jirongo was recently hosted at Kass FM and he said that they were being lined up for the presidency. This came shortly on the heels of Hon Eunice Wamalwa- our Minister for Justice, who said that if the mush-rooming alliances were only meant to deny one man votes to the presidency, then, he was not going to play ball.
Fifth, as we move towards the 4th March 2013, the delimitation of boundaries is not yet over. The process is still mucky in the courts and as it were, we cannot be certain that a ruling, or rulings will come in time.
Once the Boundaries issues are fixed, we must start a massive awareness on the electoral process since, it will be the first time we will be voting for a plethora of people. This could need about 3 months once the court cases are done with. Assuming the courts rule in July, it means the IEBC will start this process in August or September.
This will be followed by a period of Voter Registration in the new Constituencies. If this is started in February 2013, it means, we will have almost 45 days of doing that. That brings us to Mid April.
A one month period for voter register list verification will follow. Assuming the IEBC are able to compile their voter lists within 60 days at the completion of the Voter Registration period, it means, we will be running to Mid June 2013.
Once that is completed, Parliament will need to be dissolved and in so doing, there will be 90 days within which an election will be held. 90 Days from Mid June brings us to Mid September 2013.
As we are gerrymandering with straight forward issues, Parliament is also not being helpful. Forget about the self serving Commissions that we have created. We do not have Legislation in place to effect the operationalization of the County Governance System. I am yet to know how we are going to elect our Governors, Senators and all those other 9 people.
Again, the Police Reforms are being snowballed. Someone is being more clever than all of us ordinary Kenyans. Someone is playing his own music to our ears at variance to the National Music that we authored on 4th August 2010.
Someone is setting Kenyans up and we must all stand up and be counted for Mother Kenya.
I would not agree more with Lister on his observations.
Odhiambo T Oketch,
Komarocks Nairobi
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Kenya: The Rule of Law Must be Upheld
Kenyans feel betrayed by politicians and those tasked with implementing the Constitution which they voted for two years ago. It has become hard to differentiate between the old and the new order. We continue to see the old operational styles being perpetuated by those who should guide the nation towards the change which is tandem with the new law.
Several bodies tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the implementation of the new law have either abdicated their responsibilities or failed to provide clear guidelines to ensure the nation reaps maximum benefits of the new constitution.
From the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), led by Isaack Hassan, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission NCIC, led by Mzalendo Kibunja, Commission for Implementation of the Constitution (CIC, led by Charles Nyachae, The Attorney General, to the Registrar of political parties Lucy Ndung'u, all these bodies have not played their role to the expectations of Kenyans.
It was a great contradiction early this year when the Commission for the implementation of the Constitution (CIC) chairman Mr. Charles Nyachae told the nation that politicians indicted by The ICC, are eligible to vie for Presidency. The same argument was weathered down a month later by the former Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Mr. Mutula Kilonzo who said that if the two legislators were allowed to vie, it would be against the spirit of Chapter Six of the constitution on Leadership and Integrity. Mr. Kilonzo, who has since been moved to the Ministry of education advised Mr. Ruto and Kenyatta to stop their countrywide presidential campaigns.
It's also discouraging that the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission IEBC, the Registrar of political parties, the Attorney General and the Speaker, have failed to provide direction on the fate of six MPs who were recently declared partyless. If the law is followed to the letter, MPs Linah Jebii Kilimo, Richard Onyonka, Clement Waibara, Gideon Mbuvi, Barnabas Muturi, and David Mwaniki Ngugi technically lost their parliamentary seats.
Therefore, the Speaker should declare their seats vacant thereby giving the IEBC room to conduct new elections in the affected constituencies. It's clear that the affected MPs were elected under the old constitution which did not have a provision for independent candidates. This is the surest way of living and operating within the law.
It has also been observed that the IEBC hasn't provided proper guidelines especially on the current premature presidential campaigns when the Country is 9 months away to the next general Elections. This is if the March 2013 date will suffice. Kenyan taxpayers must be told by the government the mandate of bodies like Brand Kenya, and the Mzalendo Kibunja led National Cohesion and Integration Commission.
As citizens and tax payers, we have a right to question or even demand the disbanding of bodies which have failed to discharge their duties or have failed to operate within the mandate under which they were founded. In any society, bureaucracies are created to enhance service delivery to the citizens as well as uplifting the status of a nation's social, political and economic fronts. What role is Mzalendo Kibunja playing to enhance national cohesion when there is hate speech all over the nation from top politicians to regular citizens? It's imperative for Chairman Kibunja, to fold up his sleeves to address hate speech which has not only become rampant in political rallies, eating joints, and social gathering but also in the cyberspace.
The current constitution cost Kenyans lives and resources and must be defended and protected. It was passed to steer our nation towards greater heights because of its wonderful provisions. Failing to respect and uphold it is the clearest indicator that Kenya is not ready to overcome impunity and upholding the rule of law.
Is it not at height of corruption and impunity when a Presidential candidate is flown in a tax payer paid military chopper to his political campaign meeting? I think this is a violation of the law and wastage of public resources when the deputy prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi was flown recently from Nairobi to attend a campaign rally in Western Kenya.
What is the purpose of having a good law merely on paper yet our governance systems and processes continue to thrive on the old constitution?
Our political leaders still thrive on the old culture and have become purveyors of hate and tribalism instead of purveyors of patriotism. The ethnic undertones which dominate their political campaigns are clear examples of flouting the current law.
The degree of patriotism from our political leaders is on low ebb. Instead of shaping intelligent debates to allow Kenyans make the informed choices before the next elections, they are busy propagating seeds of discords through ethnic nationalism which does not augur well for peace and harmony in the Country.
It's therefore sad that the negative image portrayed especially by those vying for the Presidency is slowly sinking into the minds of their supporters when they are supposed to be role models. The arguments we see in social gatherings, social media, eating joints and funerals is tragic for the nation.
The law must be respected and those found flouting it ought to be punished. This is the surest way to build the Kenya we all want.
By Joseph Lister Nyaringo
New Jersey, USA.
http://www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=6618&magazine=391
Kenya: Clean/Green City under the Sun.
From: odhiambo okecth
Thank you Allan.
We at The Clean Kenya Campaign would like to work with our Friends from the Media to further sensitize and mobilize Kenyans to The Clean Kenya Campaign where we are all responsible for the waste we all generate.
oto
- - - - - - - - - - -
Date: Tuesday, July 24, 2012, 8:06 AM
Dear Oketch,
Pole for the departed bro. May his soul rest in peace.
Kudos! for the good work that you have embarked on. I really get perturbed whenever I look around the roads coming and going out of Nairobi, the capital city of the biggest economy in East Africa, and the city the hosts UNEP, it is such an irony that all I see is heaps of all kind of waste. Mostly the first question that clicks in my mind is who is not doing what they are supposed to be doing. Is it the people who dump or the authorities charged with collecting the waste? But I tell myself, if everyone did what they were doing the way it was supposed to be done nothing would go wrong. That is, if the local authorities collected the waste in time, the bins would have space for more waste and MAYBE people would make use of the empty bins to throw the waste.
But it all has to start somewhere and that's what you are doing. Good work!!
Kind Regards,
Allan Muturi
Photojournalist
(+254) 0724 459 067
t: @allanmuturi
From: odhiambo okecth
To: KCDN
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 5:01 PM
Subject: The Port City of Asmara
Friends,
As I make this posting, my heart is with my kid Sister who has just lost her Husband. May the almighty God rest his soul in peace and give my Sister the strength to bear the loss.
Now, The East Africa Youth Forum 2012 was hosted in the Port City of Asmara from the 7th July 2012. The Forum was attended by several Youth Leaders from across the whole of East Africa.
is the University of Nairobi- Chiromo Campus.
One thing that surprised all the participants was how clean Asmara is. I am told, they did not see any single dirt. And yet, Eritrea is only 21 Years into their Independence.
One thing that stood out for the Youths was the resolve by the Public Officers to do their work. They make it so easy for the general populace to fall in place and maintain Law and Order.
I bet we must do something in Kenya.
I am happy to report that The Clean Kenya Campaign has taken root and the Government Agencies concerned are working with us to ensure that as we celebrate 50 Years into our Independence next year, a Clean Kenya shall have been achieved.
This is a deliberate deliverable initiative and on the 28th August 2012, we will be hosting The 2nd Consultative Forum on Waste Management at the KICC where we will look at Practical Steps that we must make in the Process of Separation of Waste at Source. A Strategic Planning Session for this will be hosted on the 31st July and all those whom have been invited are very key to the success of this Campaign.
A Clean Kenya at 50 is very possible. Eritrea has achieved it. Rwanda has achieved it. Why can we not achieve the same?
Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC
Tel; 0724 365 557
World Trade Report 2012
From: Yona Maro
Non-tariff measures (NTMs) can serve legitimate public policy goals, such as protecting the health of consumers, but they may also be used for protectionist purposes. The Report reveals how the expansion of global production chains, climate change and the growing importance of consumer concerns in richer countries affect the use of NTMs. It also reports that such measures represent the main source of concerns for exporters. The focus of the Report is on technical barriers to trade (TBT) regarding standards for manufactured goods, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures concerning food safety and animal/plant health, and domestic regulation in services. The Report looks at the availability of information on NTMs and the latest trends concerning usage. It discusses the impact that NTMs have on trade and examines how regulatory harmonization and/or mutual recognition of standards may help to reduce any trade-hindering effects. Finally, the Report looks at international cooperation on NTMs.
http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/anrep_e/world_trade_report12_e.pdf
--
Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com
USA: Damaging information
From: Justin Ruben, MoveOn.org Political Action
Dear MoveOn Member,
Last week, even prominent Republicans were calling on Mitt Romney to release his tax returns—but Romney still refuses. Just days ago, his wife told ABC, "we've given all you people need to know."1
But that's just not true.
The American people deserve to know the truth about Romney's tax-evading schemes. We deserve to know just how much he's profited from the loss of America's middle class jobs. Frankly put, we deserve to know what Mitt's hiding.
A recent poll shows that a whopping 44% of Americans believe that Romney's hidden tax returns would "include damaging information." 2 When an election can turn on just a few percentage points, that's a pretty astounding number. But there hasn't been enough pressure yet for Romney to release his returns.
And that's where we all come in. As serious as this issue is, the sheer secrecy of Romney's campaign is almost comical. So, to get the word out, we're creating a shareable list with the funniest things Mitt Romney could be hiding (think David Letterman Top 10 list—except we'll do it in five).
The funnier it is, the better it will share, so we need your clever, absurd or outlandish theory about what Mitt's hiding to make it happen.
Submit your best answer, or see and rate others.
Ratings by MoveOn members will determine the five best theories to make a graphic we can all share with our social networks. There's been enough news to know we're dealing with a really tricky Mitt—and polls show that a growing number of Americans are on to his games.
If we can keep spreading the word about Romney's secrecy now and press him to release those potentially damaging returns, we'll have an even better chance to stop him from reaching the White House.
A funny graphic is just one way to keep this relevant online and there's no better way to find the funny than by tapping into the wit and humor of MoveOn's 7 million engaged members. Submit your answer today and vote for
the funniest things Mitt Romney could be hiding:
www.TrickyMitt.org
Thanks for all you do.
–Justin, Stefanie, Amy, Wes, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Ann Romney: We've 'given all you people need,'" Politico, July 19, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=277880&id=46957-21095459-s2TvY9x&t=1
2. "Poll: Most say Romney should release additional returns," USA Today, July 19, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=277922&id=46957-21095459-s2TvY9x&t=2
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
Presented BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
- - - - -
Mitt Romney refuses to release more than two years of tax returns and everyone's asking—what's he hiding? It's time to answer the question. Submit your clever or outlandish answer today and we'll share the best ones nationally.
http://www.trickymitt.org/?id=46957-21095459-s2TvY9x
Because Beef-a-Romney has given "you people" all your going to get. Period !
. . .
USA: Made in the USA for Team USA
From: Senator Sherrod Brown
Shouldn’t Team USA be wearing uniforms Made in the USA?
By now you’ve heard this isn’t the case. Instead, the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC)—made up of lawyers, bankers, and other executives—outsourced the uniforms Team America will be wearing in the opening ceremony for the 2012 games in London.
The U.S. Olympic Committee’s use of Chinese-made apparel is particularly egregious due to the ongoing and unfair competition that China poses to American manufacturers.
At a time when so many good jobs have disappeared overseas, the news that Team America is being forced to wear uniforms made in China should outrage every Ohioan.
When it comes to cheating trade laws, China would get the gold medal. It’s unconscionable that the U.S. Olympic Committee would hand over the production of the uniforms displayed by our athletes to a country that flouts international trade laws, manipulates its currency, and cheats on trade.
It makes no sense that an American organization would place a Chinese-made beret on the heads of our best athletes when we have capacity to make high-end apparel right here at home.
All American Clothing in Darke County is a great example of a company that prides itself on its “USA-made” label. In 2002, Lawson Nicol found out that his previous employer was outsourcing some of its work to Mexico. With this news, he founded All American Clothing Company. And, since its inception, his company has seen growth every year. The company is planning to expand, creating more jobs in Southwest Ohio.
All American Clothing is part of a strong American textiles and apparel industry. According to the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), the U.S. is the third largest exporter of textile products in the world, employing more than 500,000 workers in 2011.
Which team is the USOC rooting for? We need answers.
That’s why I wrote a letter to the USOC asking it to meet with American manufacturers and workers for the future USOC uniform demands, and offering to connect USOC with these manufacturers and unions.
And I was pleased to learn that the USOC pledged that the 2014 Olympic uniforms will be made in America.
While this is good news, there’s more that we can do now to boost American manufacturing.
We also need to crack down on unfair foreign trade that puts Chinese companies at an advantage over American manufacturers. Since Congress passed a trade deal with China more than ten years ago, we’ve seen the elimination of more than five million manufacturing jobs in the U.S. between 2000 and 2010.
We can--and we must--stop this trend.
That’s why I’ve introduced the Wear American Act of 2012. This “Buy America” plan would ensure that the federal government purchases apparel that is 100-percent American made.
That means all textiles and apparel purchased with U.S. tax dollars will go to U.S. businesses and communities – not China.
This isn’t rocket science. It just makes plain sense to put U.S. tax dollars back into the U.S. economy.
We must also level the playing field for American manufacturers facing unfair foreign competition. Because China manipulates its currency, its exports have a 25-40 percent price advantage over American-made products. Recently, the Senate passed a bill I authored, The Currency Exchange and Oversight Reform Act. This legislation represented the biggest bipartisan jobs bill—at no cost to U.S. taxpayers—that the Senate passed last year. The bill allows the U.S. government to stand up for American jobs when China cheats by manipulating its currency to give its exports an unfair advantage. It’s time for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the bill and for the President to sign it into law.
We should be in the business of creating policies that reward hardworking Americans, rather than supporting a tax code and trade policy that helps big companies send U.S. jobs overseas.
Right now, the stakes couldn’t be higher. We must do everything we can to support American workers.
Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown
U.S. Senator
Washington, D.C.
713 Hart Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
p (202) 224-2315
f (202) 228-6321
Columbus
200 N High St.
Room 614
Columbus, OH 43215
p (614) 469-2083
f (614) 469-2171
Toll Free
1-888-896-OHIO (6446)
Kenya: The Port City of Asmara
From: odhiambo okecth
Friends,
As I make this posting, my heart is with my kid Sister who has just lost her Husband. May the almighty God rest his soul in peace and give my Sister the strength to bear the loss.
Now, The East Africa Youth Forum 2012 was hosted in the Port City of Asmara from the 7th July 2012. The Forum was attended by several Youth Leaders from across the whole of East Africa.
[image] the University of Nairobi- Chiromo Campus.
One thing that surprised all the participants was how clean Asmara is. I am told, they did not see any single dirt. And yet, Eritrea is only 21 Years into their Independence.
One thing that stood out for the Youths was the resolve by the Public Officers to do their work. They make it so easy for the general populace to fall in place and maintain Law and Order.
I bet we must do something in Kenya.
I am happy to report that The Clean Kenya Campaign has taken root and the Government Agencies concerned are working with us to ensure that as we celebrate 50 Years into our Independence next year, a Clean Kenya shall have been achieved.
This is a deliberate deliverable initiative and on the 28th August 2012, we will be hosting The 2nd Consultative Forum on Waste Management at the KICC where we will look at Practical Steps that we must make in the Process of Separation of Waste at Source. A Strategic Planning Session for this will be hosted on the 31st July and all those whom have been invited are very key to the success of this Campaign.
A Clean Kenya at 50 is very possible. Eritrea has achieved it. Rwanda has achieved it. Why can we not achieve the same?
Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC
Tel; 0724 365 557
Kenya: IIEC caught up in vested interests needs help
From: PETER KAMAKIA
From frying pan to fire. That is IIEC for you as we speak.
Earlier rigging of voting was carried out by by stuffing ballot boxes. Now this time around the enemy is not stuffed boxes but technologically savvy techs stuffing digital votes for non existent voters using a laptop or a smart phone.
The drama at IIEC is sad to say the least. And i am really questioning the ability to provide free and fair elections to the Kenyans population?
What "electronic observers" has IIEC put in place to ensure the integrity of the system cannot be compromised. What guarantee is there that the providers of smart voting systems, the ones quarreling over tenders, have no political interests and cannot be bought with the billions of shillings that our lords of politics command.
IIEC continued sidelining of Kenyan programmers and computer experts to audit their systems has not only ensured the most expensive voting expense in the history of Kenya but a very serious possibility of a bungled election exercise as the powers that be would definitely want to be in control of voting machinery.
I pray our politicians, who are easily spotted when their interests are crossed, will arise to the occasion and seriously assist out the IIEC.
Peter Kamakia
Mitambo ICT Company
P.O.Box 25365-00100
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: 0720219320